The minutes of the November meeting can now be viewed on the church noticeboards and below.

The next meeting will take place on 8th February 2011. Items you maywish discussed please send to ‘TheSecretary, GPC’ c/o Ampthill House.

GUERNSEY PASTORAL COUNCIL

In Fide et Lenitate

Minutes of the meeting of Tuesday 9th November 2010

Present: Fr Michael, Fr Stan, Fr Kevin, Simon Harvey, Patrick Harland, Dave Sullivan, Darren Stephens, Candice McGeoch, Angela Greening, Eileen Baird

Due to the absence of the Chairman and Vice Chairman, the Secretary was asked to take the meeting.

1. The meeting opened with a reading from St Paul by Patrick Harland
2. Apologies for absence were received from: Eamonn Finnerty.
   Christina Merrien, Deirdre Dalton, Helen Foxen
3. The minutes of the last meeting were approved and signed.
4. Matters arising and Action plan: Mary Cahill has offered to come over from Jersey and speak with those involved with youth to explain what her job entails and will also bring a job description. Dates to be arranged and Tom Saddington will co-ordinate with her.
   Nicky Stevens will be contacted to arrange a day of recollection for GPC. Members asked to avoid half term week in February and favoured Friday night/ Saturday morning meeting.
   A course for music liturgy will be arranged.
   The family Christmas lunch has been organised for 12th December with entertainment. It will be from 2.30p.m. till 4.30p.m.
   The annual Parish lunch will be on 19th December at Duke of Richmond. Prices will be the same as last year.
5. Correspondence: A letter has been received about talking before mass. This was discussed and decided that for some people it is the only chance to speak with someone from one week to the next and as long as there was silence before the beginning of mass it did not prove to be a big problem.
6. Christmas schedule: Fr Michael produced a list of times of services for the Christmas period.
   Advent service : First Sunday of Advent,
   Service of Reconciliation: 17th December,
   Vigil masses on Christmas Eve: OLSS and ND :7pm SJ: 11.30p.m.,
   Christmas Day: OLSS 9.30a.m., SJ: 8.30a.m., 10.30a.m.
   No Vigil Mass on Christmas night.
   Sunday (Boxing Day): ND 9a.m., OLSS 9.30a.m., SJ: 8a.m., 10.30a.m., 6.30p.m.
7. Areas to Implement: Adult catechesis —- possibly studying the gospel of the year. A course on the new missal. This has been delayed again, but Fr Michael felt that as soon as any information comes it will be passed on to the people. These will be discussed in detail at the next meeting.
8. Youth Room: It was felt that a Skype ‘link up’ be set up in that room so that the parish could take part in talks of importance in the diocese.
9. AOB: Candice will circulate information re a dinner. The Secretary will circulate dates for the visit of Nicky Stevens.
10. Date of next meeting: 11th January 2011
11. Person to lead the prayer at next meeting: Simon Harvey

St. Martin’s Community Centre

Lots of fun for everyone!
In aid of Maison de Quetteville

Les Cotils Christian Centre

featuring GU10 : Elles Belles
& other winners from the Eisteddfod

• Continuation of refurbishment of the parish rooms;
• Christmas Lottery;
• dates of future meetings;
• open-air parish Mass; and
• parish meal.

The minutes of the November meeting can now be viewed on the noticeboards. The next meeting will be on 10th February.

He often came to Guernsey to assist with the Easter and Christmas celebrations at Notre Dame.

Please remember him in your prayers.

Fathers Michael, PJ, Stan and Charles wish you all a very joyful and peaceful Christmas. May it’s celebration bring you many blessings.

Happy Christmas!
Feliz Natal!
Joyeux Nöel!
Maligayang Pasko!
Froehlich Weihnachten!
Buone Feste Natalizie!

A big thank you to St. Joseph’s Children’s Liturgy Group who performed a Nativity play and sang Christmas Carols.

Finally thanks to Mrs Salisbury for assisting with the music and to Mr Salisbury who drove the residents to and from the Tea Party.

Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem 2000 years ago and today the Christians in the Holy Land, including Bethlehem, are experiencing extreme difficulties and dangers. They are being marginalised in both Palestinian and Israeli society, with the lack of peace, stability and the absence of justice.

Education is one area that is severely affected by the situation and is getting worse. Freedom of movement is very difficult, sometimes causing families to be separated. The instability of many to find employment means children’s education is drastically affected and equipment for schools is always needed as is financial assistance for their education.

Please be generous with your prayers and money to help the children in the Holy Land this Christmas.

A stained glass window in the Lady Chapel at St. Joseph’s Church

We extend a very warm welcome to all visitors and friends who come to celebrate and share with us the joy of this Christmas Season.

Father Michael, Father PJ, Father Stan and Father Charles thank you for your continued support in 2009 and join together in wishing you a very peaceful and joyful Christmas.

2010

PARISH RECONCILIATION SERVICE

Thursday 17th December 7:00pm St. Joseph’s Church

Opportunities for Confession in preparation for Christmas will be as follows:

Saturday 19th December
St. Joseph and St. Mary 10:30—11:00am
Notre Dame du Rosaire 4:30—5:20pm
Our Lady Star of the Sea 5:00—6:00pm

and

following daily Mass Monday 21st—Thursday 24th December.

• The collection at the Christmas Masses is for the personal use of the priests of the parish. Envelopes for this collection are available in the church porch.
• The offerings for the cribs are for the needs of the Christian children in the Holy Land and administered by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.